Adaptation of forest ecosystems to air pollution and climate change : a global assessment on research priorities.

Climate change and air pollution are two of the anthropogenic stressors that require international collaboration. Influence mechanisms and combating strategies towards them have similarities to some extent. Impacts of air pollution and climate change have long been studied under IUFRO Research Group 7.01 and state of the art findings are presented at biannual meetings. Monitoring, modelling, assessment of multiple stressors, ecophysiology, and nutrient cycles have been thoroughly studied aspects of climate change and air pollution research for a long time under the umbrella of IUFRO RG 7.01. Recently, social and economic issues together with water relations are gaining more attention in parallel with science requirements on adaptation. In this paper, we summarise the main research needs emphasized at the recent 24th IUFRO RG 7.01 Conference titled ?Adaptation of Forest Ecosystems to Air Pollution and Climate Change?. One important conclusion of the conference was the need for information on nutritional status of forest stands for sustainable forest management. It has been suggested to maintain long-term monitoring programs and to account for the effects of extreme years, and past and present management practices. Long-term monitoring can also help to understand the effects of forestry treatments on the nutrient and water budgets of the ecosystems which may enable to improve management practices like water saving silviculture

Exploring Al, Mn and Fe phytoextraction in 27 ferruginous rocky outcrops plant species

ACLWorldwide, substrates naturally rich in Al, Fe and Mn are the subject of mining, generating degradation of large areas and producing wastes with high pollution potential for water resources, soil and atmosphere, causing harm to human health and ecosystems. The present study investigated the total and phytoavailable concentration of these elements in soils and leaves of 27 native plant species from ferruginous rocky outcrops, finding values above the toxic limits described in literature and environmental legislation. Foliar levels of metals varied widely among species, demonstrating different phytoextraction or exclusionpotentials, which werenot explained by the total concentrationof elements or available soilfractions. Although most species are not considered hyperaccumulators,the results indicate the existence of species related to sites of greater availability of certain metals or that can modify soil quality through their different phytoextraction skills, with potential future uses in decontamination, stabilization, phytomining and ecological restoration projects